DIY to Try

By Kate Riley • August 13, 2013

The catalogs have been arriving in great numbers again (‘tis the season) and they can be overwhelming – most of them end up in the recycling bin but I do like to browse through the pages of the favorites for inspiration because I like to see how the stylists arrange the rooms to showcase the merchandise. There’s always one or two things on the pages that pop out at me and I think for that price it could be done as a DIY project for much cheaper. For example…

This Paris Art set is for sale for $999 at Wisteria. Why not buy a giant vintage map print on Etsy or eBay and spray paint some basic frames gold to recreate at a fraction of the price.

You know all those chairs we spy in thrift stores for $5 or $10 each? This $399 Artisan bench in the Grandinroad catalog makes me think they could be cleverly reinvented into an entry or outdoor conversation piece. Modify this tutorial from This Old House to turn multiple chairs into one long unique bench.

You can make your own lamp out of just about anything. If you want something quirky for your home like Anthropologie’s $448 bunny love light, follow Gina’s tutorial for making your own with some cheap thrift store ceramic figurines. *as always with electricity, be SUPER careful of electrical or fire hazards.

Are you a “I could make that for less” thinker when you browse the catalogs too?

Beckie has a great site Knock Off Decor where she features DIY projects inspired by catalog or retail furniture and accessories. Have you created a DIY version of a pricier piece you’ve seen in a catalog or online? Link to it in the comments, I’d love to see it!

Hi Kate,
I just kept saying “yes, yes, yes” as I read this post, love all the ideas. In fact, I’ve done my version of the first idea … 9 frames forming a picture. I couldn’t find a map at the time so I enlarged a photo I took and “divided” it into 9 sections using Photoshop. I’ll change the “art” over time but the frame I made is a keeper and easier to work with, I think, instead of 9 individual frames we joined all the frames together so they hang as one … nothing in the grid can become crooked and you only have to hang a single frame :) I have a tutorial that explains how we constructed our single frame from 9 ready made frames … http://happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-art-and-framing-project.html

Of the ideas in your post I’m seriously considering the chandy + disc hack. Thanks for the idea. Robin

Love all the projects, Kate. I’ve created a DIY version of a headboard I saw on Serene and Lily. Here’s a pic of the inspiration one (left) and my version (right). It cost me a fraction of the price:
Headboard2.jpg

I’ve been throwing around the map idea for some time but never thought of framing it like this. Really like it painted in gold. Now I just have to find a map! Thanks for sharing all these great projects. Gotta go shopping. Pinned.

The price of the chalkboard offends me. Like, to a shocking level, viscerally offends me. $300 for a chalkboard? Why? I can list several worth charities to which someone can contribute most of that money. I’ll even DIY them a chalkboard myself.

Love so many of the ideas you posted! Especially loving the IKEA chest with the bone inlay look!! Recently I used National Geographic maps (because of their large size) to line the back of some Billy bookcases from IKEA and am really happy with the results! Love maps!

I totally do that! And then I also drool over things that I know that are out of my DIY range but overpriced. I have never been a fan of that 3 chair bench. But that circle chandelier would be super fun and easy to do!

Kate, your stenciled “faux bone inlaid” tray led me to this Aug 2013 post. I LOVE this blogpost sooooo much! Would you consider devoting a separate Pinterest board to “Catalogue-Inspired DIY”? Now I’m even more grateful for those free catalogues because they provide endless inspiration for talented & creative DIYers with an excellent eye for design like you, Kate, which (thankfully) you & your fellow bloggers & followers, in turn, are kind & generous enough to share with the rest of us! Every one of those catalog items pictured is well worth duplicating (except perhaps the Grandinroad bench, but that’s just me); in fact, many of the DIY versions you’ve featured are far BETTER than the original products! Once I stopped drooling over Wisteria’s Paris Art Set, I spotted 3 more “DIY-worthy” candidates in that same photo: the elegant candle wall sconces flanking the Paris Art Set (somewhat reminiscent of those DIY starburst mirrors), the fabulous upholstered coffee table, & the petite side tables on both ends of the sofa. Anyone willing to take on these additional challenges after you’ve conquered Kate’s chandelier challenge? Thanks again, Kate! Donna

Hello, I'm Kate! I'm a renovator, decorator, and do-it-yourselfer who writes daily about great interior design and smart home improvement. Welcome to the place where I share my advice and adventures in decorating and DIY projects! Learn more.